STARTUP SCHOOL 2017
Saturday, September 30 • Port Huron, Michigan
Keynote Presenters
Paul Singh & Dana Duncan: Results Junkies
Paul is an entrepreneur, speaker, investor and Airstreamer. Previously: Managing Director @1776, Founder @disruptioncorp (acquired by @1776), Co-Founder and early Partner @500Startups, EIR at USCIS / DHS.
Dana is an entrepreneur, investor and Partner at Results Junkies. Previously: Serial entrepreneur, Director of Alumni @TheIronYard , @1776 and Head Special Projects @disruptioncorp.
Dan Casey: Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County
CEO of the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County, Dan leads the EDA’s team and mission to enhance and grow the region’s economy, influence job creation and attract capital investment.
Dan is a veteran economic development professional that has worked in both local and regional markets. He has worked with numerous Fortune 500 clients, developers, real estate professionals and investors. In addition, Dan has practiced technology-led economic development in three communities, helping to form incubators and other small business programs.
Speakers, Experts & Appearances
Dennis Riedel
Chef's Cut Real Jerky
Dennis co-founded a multimillion dollar jerky enterprise with widespread distribution and celebrity endorsements. [More about Dennis]
Dennis co-founded a multimillion dollar jerky enterprise with widespread distribution and celebrity endorsements. [More about Dennis]
Chamira Young
Chamira Studios
Chamira is a talented photographer with a style all her own. Her podcast audience has grown into the thousands. Just don't ask her to shoot weddings.
Chamira is a talented photographer with a style all her own. Her podcast audience has grown into the thousands. Just don't ask her to shoot weddings.
Carol Hall
The Hallway Escape
Following an unexpected layoff from her dream job in January, Carol decided to turn one of her visions into a reality by opening St. Clair County’s first and only “escape rooms.”
Following an unexpected layoff from her dream job in January, Carol decided to turn one of her visions into a reality by opening St. Clair County’s first and only “escape rooms.”
Senator Phil Pavlov
Michigan’s Blue Water Area has always been Phil Pavlov’s home. It’s where he raised his family and owned/operated his family’s successful small business, Dexter Equipment Company.
Matt Brooks
ELEVEN19
Matt has been growing companies for 15+ years. He created a coworking space and founded Blue Water Startups to help foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem in his community.
Matt has been growing companies for 15+ years. He created a coworking space and founded Blue Water Startups to help foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem in his community.
Demiree Potter
Ruboo Boutique
Recently returning to Michigan, Demiree made her fantasy boutique come alive to the downtown Port Huron area.
Recently returning to Michigan, Demiree made her fantasy boutique come alive to the downtown Port Huron area.
Phil Peloso
Triton Automation Group
Working in industrial automation and robotics for 25+ years, Phil formed Triton Automation Group to provide unique solutions to challenges faced by manufacturers. In five years, Triton has grown from a startup with five people to over 25 team members.
Working in industrial automation and robotics for 25+ years, Phil formed Triton Automation Group to provide unique solutions to challenges faced by manufacturers. In five years, Triton has grown from a startup with five people to over 25 team members.
Kanchan Wankhede
Great Workplace
Kanchan immigrated to Port Huron from India just three years ago. She founded an HR consultancy and is a leader in the Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs community.
Kanchan immigrated to Port Huron from India just three years ago. She founded an HR consultancy and is a leader in the Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs community.
Katie Kuhn
Huron Point Acupuncture
Coming from a generationally entrepreneurial family, Katie has built a successful acupuncture practice.
Coming from a generationally entrepreneurial family, Katie has built a successful acupuncture practice.
Mike Mancini
Lifelong resident of Port Huron. St. Clair County’s Business Consultant for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a National organization assisting startups and small businesses. BA and MS in Finance.
Thelma Castillo
Thelma is the President & CEO of the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce. She was previously employed by the Detroit Regional Chamber, one of the largest chambers in the United States.
Jason Go
A certified acupuncturist, Jason founded Blue Dragon Acupuncture in 2015. He believes in a partnership and balance between Eastern and Western healthcare professionals.
Ken Gadd
Gadd Business Consultants
Lifelong resident of the Blue Water Area, Ken is a veteran entrepreneur and Business Consultant for over 30 years serving clients throughout the for-profit, non-profit and faith-based sectors.
Lifelong resident of the Blue Water Area, Ken is a veteran entrepreneur and Business Consultant for over 30 years serving clients throughout the for-profit, non-profit and faith-based sectors.
Shannon Schwabe
Together with her husband, Scott, Shannon opened Michigan's first hop farm that doubles as a wedding venue.
Suzanne Kuhn
Sue has been an entrepreneur and fashionista for 40 years in the Blue Water Area.
Lewis Jones
Founder of Top Shelf - HR, Lewis is a Human Resources professional with nearly two decades in the field.
Dan Damman
Dan is the Mayor of Marysville, MI, and a prominent lawyer practicing in St. Clair County.
Patricia Manley, CPA
Patty is a Certified Public Accounting in the field for over 30 years. She is a partner in McBride - Manley & Company, based in Marine City.
Nick Suino
Nick is a writer, martial arts expert, attorney and business consultant who specializes in the mastery process.
Jon Watt
A certified coach, teacher and speaker with The John Maxwell Team.
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